Faiella-Bionin

A personal prayer to the Unicorn from Constance, daughter of Julian, pt 23

25^th Leviathan (Serpent in the Dworkin Calendar), 3658

The Night passed quietly.

I spoke with my Lord Warden. He reported that a scouting party led by Darig had left the main army with Hector of Zigo and would attempt to use his Travel Magics to reach the edge of the Golden Circle.. I relayed Moire’s question about his absence. He does not trust Rebma and is too busy being Warden of Arden to pay visits – the latter being the official version. He ordered that I think on provision for Fiona’s safety on the Pattern and warned me not to open my Trump Case in Rebma lest they be damaged. He also reminded me that Werewindle has a connection with Rebma. Brand visited Rebma a lot and Werewindle was a woman’s weapon. So be on my guard though I had made it clear to Brand that my Father could not undertake any work on his project until we returned to Arden.

I considered if and how she could be protected. William would be a far better bodyguard than me but, as a woman in Rebma, I could go places that he could not. We could not save her if she collapsed during her walk – no one could. If William were to set out onto the Pattern after her then he would be able to Trump out with her from the Centre. I am entirely self aware as to the limits of my Endurance and I have not witnessed William falter at any point so he is my choice for rescue should it be required.

I discussed this with William in the morning and he agreed to play the rescuer with the proviso that I watch and guard his wife in his absence. I also, with his permission, attempted a small Magic upon him – just to change the colour of his eyes. It failed. Too close to the Rebma Pattern, I think. I will need to check if I can Glamour armour for myself before heading out into potential trouble. Gradlon has approached William to join a party going up onto the Surface. I demurred, and replied that I would give an answer after Fiona’s Walk.

In the morning Fiona prepared for her walk with Meditation.

She was barefoot. She seemed composed and determined, turning once to look at us and the company of Moiré, Scylla, Leucothea and then taking her first step. I think her both determined and very brave. I walked the Pattern but once as a 21 year old and only to claim my heritage as an Amberite and to stop future attempts by the Fae to claim me as theirs. Only my Lord Warden was in attendance then. The memory of that walk hits me on dark nights. I didn’t think I could do it. I attained it barely with the certainty of my Father behind me and now the knowledge that if I hadn’t, there were no other witnesses and I would have been an unfortunate accident. Just like my birth. My Father is practical above all things.

Fiona’s pace seemed slow – but perhaps not, for this is an act of Endurance not speed. But what do I know? Her pace slowed again at the First Veil but she pushed through and her stride lengthened though it took her the best part of an hour to reach the Second Veil. From there her continued walk was difficult indeed. She walked heel to toe as she started into the right angle turns. Her speed increased so very slightly and she seemed to sway as she made her way inchingly towards the Third Veil. It may have been currents buffeting her but looked haggard and was staggering now towards the Grand Curve. I quietly asked Princess Llewella if William could be sent in now to support her but was dismissed with a look or horror at the suggestion.

As she came out of the Grand Curve she paused, we watched in trepidation but somehow Fiona gathered all of her remaining determination and will and continued step by step through the central curves to the Final Veil. Her final steps were drags not steps at all but she made it! She collapsed onto the centre but she made it! Unicorn be Blessed.

I looked to William. He passed Claideb to Sorashi and I took his place next to Rachael, praying in my heart to the Unicorn to grant him safe passage. His walk – in comparison to that of our Aunt, was a thing of considerable speed. I would not say it was easier for him but he was so much faster. At the Centre, he too looked exhausted. He picked up our Aunt into his arms and they vanished.

We waited. And waited. I received a Trump call from William and we moved away from this Pattern Room and I brought William and a living, breathing Princess Fiona back through to her Chambers and in the care of her sisters. The relief was palpable. William went off in the care of his wife and we prepared in our own ways for a trip to the surface.

Two hours later, we assembled in a main square and set off with warnings from Gradlon not to step off the main stairs as we’d be outside of the protective zone and crushed by the water pressure. I noted that we had some dozen Rebman guards with us. To protect us from what – I have no real idea but clearly there are dangers in the deep and those dangers could be anywhere within the 360 degrees around us.

We were placed in the centre of the guards except for William who was in the front with Gradlon. The steps went upward at a shallow angle and I welcomed the penetration of the darkness by the sunlight from above and the sea took on a more familiar blue-green hue.

William and Gradlon break the surface first. I choke and splutter as I remove the water from my lungs and breathe in air again. I take more notice of the land about me.

Black cliffs are directly in front of us, with a beach of silver sand and I stop dead. This so closely resembles the beach that I met Llewella in dream – but is it? It could be another Shadow after all. But I don’t recall a pyramid being there. That pyramid is black stone with a silver mortar being used. Corwin’s colours. Is this just a Pyramid or a monument and if so, it is suggested, one to Faiella, once Queen of Amber and mother of Eric, Corwin, Caine and Deirdre.

Is this the actual Amber and how are we to scale those cliffs?

I must report to my Father.